Lighthouse - November, 2009.

The mention of focus groups, task forces, group seminars and working parties often send shivers down the spines of some management and staff. It is sometimes difficult to realise the objective and need for such proposals. However, as the era of traditional industrialisation draws to an end, to remain pro-active, companies must stay ahead of the game. This is achieved by identifying the changing demands of our clients and the logistics involved.
The age where territorial boundaries coincide with cultural and religious boundaries is fading. Worldwide, harder economic frontiers and projections are being superimposed. In business terms the world is growing smaller and smaller. These changes have to be supported, within a progressive company, by the creation of resource projects which ensure the backing of a highly educated and internationally competent labour force.
Specialised training, awareness development and orientation have become forefront in ensuring that companies have new opportunities to win. These projects act as catalysts, which compel industries and corporate entities, to implement new methodologies.
At CSS we give much importance to in-house training and seminars as we believe the experiences gained from these stimulate knowledge, new experiences and exposures, which are the driving force to our success. Focus, task, seminar or working party, whatever the project is called, the objective is the same to provide and stimulate new ideas so we all win.

Console Shipping Services India Pvt. Ltd Tirupur and Tuticorin have successfully completed its 5th year of operations in October 2009. Hearty congratulations to the dedicated team who drive these offices forward. It is always encouraging to see success coming not by fortune, but by effort, and CSS’ South India operations are an obvious example for that.

CSS, today with its array of offices in the peninsular India has shown its prowess and might to become one of the fastest growing NVOs in the region. South India has always been contributing generously to the cause and growth of Logistics industry with its major ports of Chennai & Tuticorin. Confusions regarding the administrative domains are also quite often due to the overlapping geographical boundaries of states and due to the lack of hinder land in this region. Console Shipping, who entered the Indian market of shipping and logistics through Tirupur, popularly known as the cotton city of India, soon accelerated it’s momentum of growth by establishing its strong presence in Tuticorin, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Chennai, the gate way port to the South.

The facilities and the infrastructural advantages in the two major ports have attributed the Containerised cargo movement growth of Console Shipping to multi fold. Chennai port works 24X7 with many user friendly characteristics attached to its activities. Situated at the Coromandel Coast, this port connects South India to all the major ports of the world. The Port serves the geographical regions of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, South Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka and has now emerged as hub on the east coast of India. Major commodities being handled at the Port are Containers, Automobiles Exports, Iron Ore, Coal, Fertilizers and general cargo items. CSS Tirupur and Tuticorin offices, with its most efficient and enthusiastic team is exploring the advantages of the infrastructural facilities offered by their port and the market. They enjoy round the clock operations of the port and moreover the last minute loading for time sensitive commodities like garments are possible here.

From handling a meagre volume of cargo in the early years, consisting chiefly of imports of oil and motors and the export of groundnuts, granite and ores, the port is moved towards handling 57.15 million tonnes surpassing the Ministry’s target of 55.86 million tonnes of cargo this year. Undoubtedly, the port of Chennai has contributed a lot in the developmental process of Tamil Nadu particularly and South India as a whole.

Recession blockades are a major hindrance to the industry as a whole, but the CSS Team in South India headed by Eugene in Chennai & Sunil in Tirupur are optimistic about the resurgence of the scenario, of which traces are being noticed. The sales team is being strengthened to tap the hinterland markets of Coimbatore, Karur, Bangalore and other parts of the South, where ever attention is needed. Console Shipping is already present in Coimbatore and Bangalore to service its clients. The presence of the group in North India and the Middle East is a supportive factor to its South India operations.

CSS Group will be conducting its Annual Sales Strategy Meet 2010 in Colombo, Sri Lanka from the 19th until 21st November, 2009.

During this meet the annual budget and accomplishments will be reviewed by Senior Management followed by a sales forecast along with outlining strategies and goals for 2010.

Like every year there is a theme associated to this event and the theme picked for this year is ‘Focus On The Future’. The ability to foresee, anticipate and organize for future potential represents one of the most outstanding traits of individuals. CSS is all geared up to take this event as an opportunity to highlight achievements and formulate vital strategies to attain significant growth in the coming year.

The constant research and development from the IT department of CSS has brought in constant updates in its in-house software FINS. The latest of which is the new project management module under its freight forwarding application with countless capabilities such as contact management, packing list, quotation management, resource allocation and management, bookings managements, projects job management and project related finance details.

The purpose of this module is to provide sufficient information related to a project to the customers which in-turn could help amalgamate many individual operational modules under one roof. Project managers and Financial managers will get sufficient insight about the project operations and the distributed jobs done under each project. Further more, this module has the capability to manage project initiation till closing of a project.

Main Features

Integrated project management module

Project initiation and planning management activities can be recorded

Project contact management or stakeholder management

Project packing list management and item management

Quotation management

Project scope management

Project resource management

Project cost management

Main reports

Total number of project jobs

Total number of completed project jobs

Total number of incomplete project jobs

Total number of yet to start project jobs

Total number of jobs in each project jobs and its type wise classification.

Consolidated Shipping Services Bahrain was established in 2002, and since then has rapidly increased its pace with starting as an NVOCC and spreading out its arms into the spectrum of Air & Sea freight, Land Transport & Projects handling within a short span of time, creating its own signature in each and every task it undertakes. It has grown to become a trusted partner and a market leader for the freight forwarding and logistics solution within a short period of time.

CSS Bahrain is located in the heart of Manama and operates a 10,000 Sq. Ft. of CFS facility, managed and operated by its own personnel within Mina Salmaan Port. This ensures successful handling of ocean freight containers coming in from various ports of the world. To add to the glory, CSS Bahrain has recently acquired land of over 35,000 Sq. Ft. in the Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) for building a new office & warehouse. A customs-free logistics park in the Hidd Industrial area, Bahrain Logistics Zone is regulated by General Organization of Seaports, Bahrain. Strategically positioned behind the port customs gate, allowing streamlined movement of goods between the port and the Logistics Zone, it is sure to boost Bahrain’s viability as a major logistics hub for the region, especially the northern Gulf.

CSS Bahrain has always been at par with advanced technology & competitive global market. It has structured its operation to suit the needs of the customers ensuring reliability and satisfaction as it understands customer needs of prompt service and delivery in shortest possible transit times. With its hands on management team and highly experienced project professionals, CSS Bahrain has been offering integrated turnkey project forwarding solutions to worldwide destinations. CSS Bahrain understands the specific requirements of individual projects and can tailor its services to seamlessly integrate into the client’s requirements. Owing to exceptional Air Freight Management skills CSS Bahrain has been the exclusive Cargo General Sales Agent for Martinair Cargo for over 5 years now. The company’s continuous efforts and efficient service have helped it garner strong world wide network, affiliates and an accredited membership with WWPC (Worldwide Project Consortium) & FIATA.

Today, CSS Bahrain has what it takes to handle clients with global needs and provide solutions to enhance their businesses, building a fruitful partnership along the way.

CSS Group will be participating in the 2nd Annual Breakbulk Asia Transportation Conference & Exhibition to be held in Singapore on 26th & 27th, January 2010. The event aims to serve as a vital forum where the BreakBulk industry’s issues will be expressed and potential solutions will be determined. It is forecasted to attract over 150 exhibitors from around the world and over 3000 trade visitors.

Pakistan Hockey
Recently, UAE witnessed top Pakistani Hockey players like Rehan Butt and Salman Akbar battle it out in an exhibition match that was held in Dubai at the IAT Hockey ground in Al Ghusais. Consolidated Shipping Services was the official sponsor of the event that brought together veteran hockey player Jaffer Hussain and Qadeer Hussain (also an organizer) for an exciting evening that delighted all the hockey lovers in the UAE.

The exhibition match was officiated by top notch Umpires: Abid Naqvi and Lukas. As the game set in motion Salman Akbar (the International Pakistan goalie) made many excellent saves to deny Rehan Butt of any lead in the 1st half. But tables turned during the second half when veteran world cup star player of Pakistan Jaffar Hussain along with Rehan Butt planned some really exceptional moves to score on Salman Akbar. All the leading Pakistani National players, ex players, organizers and hockey spectators were present to view this extravaganza and were grateful to the visiting players and organizers for giving them the opportunity to meet their favorite stars.